Lighter construction



Dec. 14, 1937. RE|LLY 2,102,381

LIGHTER CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 20, 1936 v. FEE

"Z; HT 1 J B ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES LIGHTER CONSTRUCTION Alfred F. Reilly, North Attleboro, Mass, assignor to Evans Case Company, North Attleboro, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 20, 1936, Serial No. 59,822

12 Claims.

This invention relates to fighters and more particularly to catalytic action lighters.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a catalytic lighter which is simple and inexpensive in construction and thoroughly efficient and reliable in operation. Another object is to provide a lighter of the above nature which is sturdy and durable and which may be used over extended periods without the necessity of w replacement of parts or of refueling. Another object is to provide a lighter of the above nature which is readily operable regardless of weather conditions. Another object is to provide a lighter of the above nature which is attractive in appearance and comparatively small in size though having ample fuel capacity. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the fea- QO tures of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various embodiments of my lighter,

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the lighter and cap with the cap removed; and

Figure 2 is. an elevation of the lighter, partlyv in section, with the cap in place.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmg.

In order that certain features of this invention may be more readily understood, it should be noted that pyrophoric lighters are notoriously complicated and, because of their relatively large number of moving parts, are subject to damage often necessitating repairs beyond the ability of the user. These lighters are also dependent for operation upon a sparking material and a protruding wick both of which become consumed upon extended operation and both of which are not always easily replaced. It might also be pointed out that many catalytic lighters are unsatisfactory due to the more or less constant exposure of the catalytic agent to the vaporized fuel which condenses upon the catalyst thus rendering it inactive until it has dried out. Still other catalytic lighters provide indifferent ignition of a cigarette or the like because of the difiiculty of drawing air through the fuel chamber. In addition the catalyst in many of these lighters becomes prematurely debilitated through overexposure to vapor and the atmosphere. Another object of this invention is to rectify the above conditions in addition to many others.

Referring now to the drawing and to Figure 1 in particular, I provide a casing generally indicated at H] which may be of any desirable shape or size and which may be formed of any suitable material such as metal or a phenolic condensation product. Casing H3 is preferably tubular, however, and preferably has an integral bottom I l and an open top I2. The upper inner portion of easing II] is preferably threaded as at I3 to threadably receive a bushing or the like generally indicated at M. Bushing l4 comprises an annular shoulder I la which seats on top l2 of 15 the casing and a reduced portion Mb which is suitably threaded for a purpose to be pointed out hereinafter. Extending through reduced portion Mb are a suitable number of air inlet ports I5 which provide communication between the at- 20 mosphere and the interior of easing H).

A cap generally indicated at l6 (Figures 1 and 2) is provided with interior threads lBa (Figure 1) which threadably engage the threads on reduced portion [4b of bushing I4 and accordingly seal the interior of casing ID from the atmosphere. Thus the lower portions of the side walls of cap [6 hermetically seal inlet ports l5 when the cap is threaded onto bushing l4.

Still referring to Figure 1, bushing I4 is preferably provided with concentric bores I! and I8, bore i8 preferably being larger than bore I! to provide an annular shoulder or seat I9. A substantially cup-shaped shell part 20 or the like is preferably force fitted within bore l8 and seats 35 on shoulder l9 thus conveniently forming a top to casing 10. Shell 20 is provided with an opening 20a and in this opening I fix the upper or fuel vapor exit end 220. of a fuel vapor tube 22. Preferably fuel vapor tube 22 is substantially rigid 40 and, when in its assembled position within casing I0, is immovable therefrom, this type of tube being provided for a purpose pointed out hereinafter. Tube 22 extends downwardly through casing l0 and terminates in a fuel vapor admis- 45 sion end 22b spaced from bottom I I of the casing. Admission end 22b of tube 22 is preferably provided with threads 220 which threadably receive a retaining washer 23.

Disposed between retaining washer 23 (Figure 50 l) and the bottom of shell 20, I provide a mass of absorbent material generally indicated at 24 which may conveniently be in the form of a plurality of felt washers 24a disposed about tube 22 and held in place thereon by retaining washer 23. 55

It may now be seen that felt washers 240. are maintained in constant alignment due to the rigidity of vapor tube 22 thus avoiding any possibility of clogging of the vapor channel.

Preferably the diameter of absorbent material 24 is substantially smaller than the inner diameters of casing I and bore I of bushing M to provide an annular space 25 between the absorbent material and the casing.

It maynow be seen that retainingwasher 23 through its associationwith tube 22 maintains 22a of tube '22, as indicated by the arrows (Figure 1) by Way of space 25 and tube 22 for a purpose to be pointed out hereinafter.

. Slidably disposed in shell 20 I provide a sleeve member generally indicated at 2|, this sleeve member having a flange 2| a formed around the bottom thereof. The top edge 20bof shell 20 is inturned .and this edge provides an abutment against which. flange 2|a of sleeve 2| abuts to prevent dissociation of the sleeve from the shell. Preferably sleeve 2| is substantially deeper than shell 20 and is in telescopic relation thereto.

A suitable number of holes 2|c are preferably formed in the 'bottom 2|b of sleeve 2|, and these holes are communicable with tube '22 while the lighter .is in operation. Preferably holes 2|c are arranged adjacent the periphery of bottom 211) which provides a supporting surface fora catalyst container 26, preferably freely disposed within sleeve 2|. In order to maintain container 26 in its proper operative position and centered with respect to holes 2 le so as not to cover the holes, I have provided a spacing ring 2| or the like which conveniently takes the form of a corrugated wire ring... A piece of catalytic material 28 is dis-' posed within container '26 and .may be held therein by frictional contact of the adjacent peripheries of the material and the container. Preferably't'he top of catalyst 28 is provided with corrugations'or ridges 28a, the catalyst preferably being of substantially the same depth as container 26." Preferably container '26 is imper'forate. Hence the only exposed portion of cata-' is preferably substantially vertical and the diameter of this portion of the bushing is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of a standard cigarette so as to provide a snug fit for p a substantial portion of'one end of the cigarette when it is introduced into the bushing and against catalyst 28 for lighting. This snug fit greatly impedes the passage of air or vapor between the cigarette and bushing 29, this being advantageous V as will be more clearly pointed out hereinafter.

However, due to the greater diameter of the container in its proper operative position.

It may now be seen that a passageway for the inlet of air and the outlet of vaporized fuel is provided by way of inlet ports IS in bushing l4, space 25. in casing l0, tube 22, the interior of shell 29, inlet ports 2 l0 in sleeve 2|, sleeve 2|, and passages 29b in bushing 29. It will also be seen that vaporized fuel drawn through passage 29b, as when a cigarette is puffed, passes only over the top surfaceof catalyst 28 thus assuring the long life of the catalyst and concentrating the heat at the point where it is needed to light the cigarette. Furthermore, as the end of the cigarette fits snugly within portion 29a of bushing 29, substantially no air is drawn in over the top of catalyst 28 to weaken the concentration of fuel vapor. I

Secured in any suitable manner to .the bottom of shell 20 is a spring '30 preferably conical in form which presses upwardly against the bottom of sleeve 2| thus constantly urging the sleeve into its uppermost position where flange 2| 0; abuts inturned shell edge 29b to limit further movement. It should be noted that by disposing spring 30 in the bottom of shell 20 so that its expansion reacts against the bottom of sleeve 2|, there is no tendency of the spring to force absorbent material 24 out of the casing should the several parts of the lighter become worn after extended use. Preferably I provide a gasket 32 of rubber or the like secured in any suitable manner tothe bottom of shell 20,1this gasket having a hole 320. therein in registry with exit end 22a. of conduit 22. Sleeve 2| has secured thereto in any suitable manner a needle valve 3| which, when sleeve 2| is depressed, enters hole 32a in gasket '32 and seats on the gasket to seal hermetically the fuel vapor exit of the cap engages the top edge 2|d of sleeve 2| thus forcing sleeve 2| downwardly against the bias of spring 30 so that the tapered end of valve 3| enters the hole .in gasket 32 thus pressing the gasket against the exit end 22a of tube 22 to seal the tube and prevent the flow of vaporized fuel therefrom into the vicinity of catalyst 28. Hence the amount of vaporized fuel which is trapped and which may come into contact with catalyst 28 is so slight that, in the event of condensationthereof, there is not sufiicient condensate to affect adversely the subsequent operation of the lighter. The remainder of the fuel which has become vaporized during the operation .of the lighter immediately prior to the screwing .down of the cap on' the casing is trapped within tube 22 and space 25 wherein fits condensation has no effect on catalyst 28. It will also be seen that air inlet ports I are completely sealed from the atmosphere and because ofthe tight fit afforded by the respective threads on reduced portion Nb of bushing I4 and cap 16, .it is practically impossible for vaporized fuel to escape. It should also be noted that when 7 5 cap it is in place, its surface l 62) engages top edge 2 Id of sleeve 2| so firmly that catalyst 28 is effectively sealed from the atmosphere. I prefer the threaded engagement between. cap it and bushing M as such an engagement effectively precludes displacement of the cap by spring 30 after the several parts of the lighter have become so worn through extended use that the spring would force the cap out of its seated position were there no more than a sliding fit holding the cap in place on the casing. Thus the catalyst is completely segregated from both fuel vapor and the atmosphere and will accordingly have a much longer period of usefulness than if it were not so completely protected.

In operation cap iii is unscrewed from its seat on bushing l4 and the end of a cigarette is placed within bushing 29 against catalyst 28. Upon the cigarette being puffed, air enters casing lil by Way of inlet ports l5, thence passes through space 25 and contacts absorbent material 24 during which it combines with fuel vapor. The vaporized fuel then passes along the bottom of casing H1 and up through tube 22 through shell 28, ports Zlc and passages 29b and over the top of catalyst 28. By reason of the catalytic action of catalyst 28, the catalyst glows and provides a sufficient amount of heat to light the cigarette. Thereafter cap I5 is screwed down on bushing !4 thus forcing valve 3| into its seat on gasket 32 to close vapor exit end 22a of tube 22; the lower portions of cap 56 close air inlet ports !5 when the cap is fully in place.

Accordingly it will be seen that I have provided a catalytic lighter in which the several objects mentioned hereinabove as well as many others are achieved in a thoroughly practical and efficient manner.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a lighter, in combination, means forming a container adapted to receive a volatile fuel, a part secured to said container and having a fuel vapor port therein, a fuel vapor conduit disposed in said container and having its vapor exit end secured to said part in communication with said port, means including a catalytic member movably disposed in said part, and a needle valve on the underside of said last mentioned means cooperable with a rubber gasket surrounding said port and adapted to seal said port when said last-mentioned means is moved in one direction.

2. In a lighter, in combination, means forming a casing for a volatile fuel, a part secured in said casing and having a fuel vapor port therein, a fuel vapor conduit in said container having a vapor exit in communication with said port, a closed sleeve member disposed for limited movement in said part, the bottom of said sleeve member and the bottom of said part forming a chamher in communication with the exit of said vapor conduit and said fuel vapor port, a catalyst container mounted in said sleeve member, the walls of said container being spaced from the walls of said sleeve member to form a Vapor passage, the bottom of said sleeve member having an opening therein to establish communication between said passage and said chamber, a catalyst in said container, the height of said catalyst being substantially equal to the height of said container whereby fuel vapor flowing from said casing through said conduit, said chamber and said passage comes into contact with the upper surface only of said catalyst, and means associated with said sleeve member for sealing said exit end of said conduit when said sleeve member is at one limit of its movement in said part, the volume of said chamber being greatly reduced when said tube is sealed whereby the amount of I vapor trapped in engagement with said catalyst is insufficient to affect the subsequent operation thereof.

3. In a lighter, in combination, means forming casing adapted to receive a volatile fuel, a part secured in the upper portion of said casing and having a port therein, an elongated conduit having a fuel vapor admission end and a fuel vapor exit end, said conduit being secured to said part, so that said port and said fuel vapor exit end are in communication, and means including a catalytic member rnovably disposed in said part, and a needle valve on the underside of said last mentioned means cooperable with a rubber gasket surrounding said port adapted to seal said port and segregate said catalytic member from substantially all fuel vapor when said last-mentioned means is in one position of its movement.

a. In a lighter, in combination, means forming a casing adapted to receive a volatile fuel, a substantially cup-shaped part secured in the upper portion of said casing, an elongated fuel vapor conduit disposed in said casing and secured to said cup-shaped part and in communication with the interior thereof, said conduit having a fuel vapor interior surface of said casing, a catalytic member associated with said cup-shaped part, said catalytic member being sealed on the bottom and sides and open at the top, and a needle valve on the underside of said cup-shaped part cooperable with the rubber gasket surrounding the exit end of said conduit for sealing said exit end of said conduit to substantially completely segregate said catalytic member from fuel vapor.

5. In a lighter, in combination, means forming a casing adapted to receive a volatile fuel, an elongated fuel vapor conduit immovably disposed in said casing, a. catalytic member movably associated with the upper portion of said casing, said catalytic member being substantially adjacent the fuel vapor exit end of said conduit, means for sealing said exit end of said conduit whereby said catalytic member is substantially completely segregated from fuel vapor when in one position of its movement, and means for conducting fuel vapor to the top surface only of said catalytic member when said catalytic member is in another position of its movement.

6. In a lighter, in combination, means forming a casing adapted to receive a volatile fuel, an elongated fuel vapor conduit immovably disposed in said casing, a catalytic member movably associated with the upper portion of said casing, said catalytic member being substantially adjacent the fuel vapor exit end of said conduit, means for sealing said exit end of said conduit whereby said catalytic member is substantially completely segregated from fuel vapor when in one position of its movement, means for conducting fuel vapor to the top surface only of said catalytic member when said catalytic member is in another position of its movement, and spring means adapted to bias said catalytic :member toward said lastmentloned position. r

. '7. In a lighter, in combination, means formin a casing adapted to receivea volatile fuel, a part secured in the upper portion of said casing, a fuel vapor conduit having a fuel vapor admission end and a fuel vapor exit end, said conduit being secured ;to said part whereby said fuel vapor exit end .is'in communication with the interior of said part, a member reciprocably disposed in said part, spring means disposed between said part and said member and adapted to bias said member upwardly, the interiorof said member bein in communication withthe interior of said part whereby said fuel vapor flowing from said exit end flows through said part and into said member, a catalyst disposed in said member in the path of fuel vapor, means for urging said member downwardly against the action of said spring, and means associated with said member for sealing the vapor exit end of said conduit when said member is forced downwardly. V

.8. .In a catalytic lighter, a body comprising a container for volatile fuel and a chamber adjacent said container having an opening in the bottom wall communicating with said container, said container having an air inlet port, a movable element 'in said chamber including a catalyst, a needle valve on the underside of said movable element cooperable with a rubber gasket surrounding said opening to close said opening on movement of said element towards said container, and a cap detachably securable to said body. to seal said air inlet port and engageable with said element to move said element towards said container.

9. In a catalytic lighter, a :body including a container for volatile fuel and a chamber adjacent .said container having an opening in the bottom wall communicating with said container, said container having :an air inlet port, a movable element in said chamber including a catalyst, a needle valve on the underside of said m0v-' able element cooperable with a rubber gasket surrounding said opening to close said opening on movement of said element towards said container, means resiliently urging said element away from said container, and a cap detachably securable to said body to seal said air inlet port and engageable with said element to move said element towards said container.

10. In a, catalytic lighter, a container adapted to receive a volatile fuel and having a fuel vapor flow passage, 'a chamber adjacent said container in communication with said flow-passage, a cat- 'alyst element in said chamber, said catalyst element being sealed on the bottom and sides and 12. In a catalytic lighter, a container adapted to receive a volatile fuel and having a vertical fuel vapor flow passage, a chamber adjacent said container in communication with said flow passage, means comprising a catalyst sealed on the bottom and sides and open atthe top, movable in said chamber-to seal said vertical passage, said means including a needle valve on the underside of said catalyst cooperable with a rubber gasket surrounding the opening to said vertical passage,

and resilient means in said chamber urging said movable means away from said container.

ALFRED F. REILLY. 

